Although the Los Angeles Lakers season is now officially on hold until next week when they return to their regular season schedule, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers coaching staff in charge of Team LeBron will now have to account for another player joining their team due to injury. Portland’s Damian Lillard, who was LeBron’s first pick of the reserves, is out for Sunday’s game and the 3-point shootout, will be replaced in the shootout and on Team LeBron by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker.
It is Booker’s first All-Star selection and he will have an opportunity to take home his second 3-point shootout trophy. According to the NBA, an injury replacement is usually done with a player from the same conference. Given that Booker and Lillard both play in the West, Adam Silver went with Booker, who has been close several times but has yet to make it.
Booker is averaging 26.4 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds while posting career highs in field goal percentage (49.6) and free throw percentage (92.0).
Lillard suffered a groin strain in the fourth quarter of last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Lillard was selected as an All-Star for the fifth time in his career this season. Lillard, however, is still expected to perform as his musical alias Dame D.O.L.L.A. at the All-Star Saturday night festivities.
